 This outstanding Scottish group gives a beautiful performance of three world premiere recordings of works by leading contemporary composer James MacMillan. Tenebrae Responsories is scored for vocal octet and speaks to all of every faith and none, of the power of love and redemption through personal sacrifice. Tenebrae is an ideal festive release; the Strathclyde Motets include two settings of Christmas text in the Communion Motets for Christmas Midnight Mass and the First Sunday of Advent. Tenebrae is full of the instantly recognisable stylistic colours that are MacMillan hallmarks such as his use of ornamentation, placed on rather than before the beat, in the style of the Celtic folk tradition. Cappella Nova has a twenty-year association with James MacMillan, which began in 1987 with the Scottish premiere of his psalm-setting Beatus Vir. Consequent premiere performances followed and the choir have established an intuitive response to his work and a passion for his creativity that is evident in this recording. Cappella Nova is "famous for its performances of contemporary music" (The Guardian), having commissioned and premiered more than 60 new works since 1986. These include John Tavener's monumental three-hour oratorio, Resurrection (1990), broadcast on BBC Radio 3, and James MacMillan's cantata for Holy Week Seven Last Words from the Cross (1994). Future premieres include new works by Sir John Tavener and Craig Armstrong. Besides appearances in many British festivals, the group has toured many times abroad, including several visits to Europe and the USA. James MacMillan launched his international career at the BBC Proms in 1990 with the critically acclaimed The Confession of Isobel Gowdie. Since then MacMillan has been awarded a CBE (January 2004) and has created one of the strongest portfolios's of contemporary compositions with many award-winning recordings and acclaimed concert performances worldwide.

Tenebrae is a fitting celebration of twenty years of shared commitment to new choral works by one of the world's leading contemporary composers and Scotland's premier vocal ensemble. (The Boston Globe).